Security arrangement for depository machine



Nov. 12, 1963 L. G. SlMJlAN 3,110,540

SECURITY ARRANGEMENT FOR DEPOSITORY MACHINE Filed Sept. 19, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN Em; (K. AGENT.

Nov. 12, 1963 1.. G. SIMJIAN SECURITY ARRANGEMENT FOR DEPOSITORY MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 19. 1960 FIG FIG. 6

M O m 1 LINE INVENTOR. LUTHER G. SIMJIAN Em r1 AGENT.

' SECURITY ARRANGEMENT FORDEPOSITQRY MACHINE Luther G. Simjian, Greenwich, Conn., assignor to Universal Match Corporation, St. Louis, Mo., a cor-paration of Delaware Filed Sept. 19, 1960, Ser. No. 57,061 18 Claims. (Cl. 346- 22) This invention refers to a security arrangement for depository machines and has particular reference to a security arrangement which involves the furnishing of documentary evidence by image recording means. More specifically, the present invention concerns improvements in the art of depository machines of the type described for instance in the U.S. Patents Nos. 2,909,107, 2,927,515, 2,930,296 and 2,936,684 issued to this applicant, and pertains primarily to the furnishing of documentary evidence whenever access is obtained to certain portions of the machine.

In the patents referenced, there are described depository machines which are adapted to accept for deposit documents such as checks, currency and the like, and wherein image recording means associated with the machine provide documentary evidence of the deposits supplied to the machine and of receipts issuing therefrom. The two most important portions of such a machine, as far as the security aspects are involved, concern the depository receptacle which stores the received articles and the image recording means which contain the documentary evidence of the deposit. In the usual arrangement both portions, that is the image recording means and the depository receptacle are provided with suitable locking means so that only authorized personnel can gain access to either portion. Access must be available, however, to the deposit receptacle for the purpose of emptying the receptacle or exchanging a full receptacle for an empty one, and in analogous manner, the image recording means, usually a photographic apparatus, must be serviced periodically for effecting removal of the film or for supplying an empty reel.

Inits simplestembodiment, the image recording means of vthe machine are so arranged that they view an identification means associated with the key means and that the image recording means are actuated when the key means are caused to engage the locking means for the purpose of unlocking the particular machine portion. 1 In this manner, a documentary record is provided whenever the lock is operated. The identification means may either form a portion of the key itself or, in alternative manner, displaymeans are provided which are actuated by the key means when such key means are inserted into the lock proper. The documentary evidence furnished by the image recording means will identify the key means and if the latter were signed out to a particular person, the identity of the person who gained access to therespective portion of the machine can be established.

When a plurality of key means is available for actuating the respective locks,each of the key means is provided withrespective code means in order to ascertain that each key means will be distinct from the other key means within this plurality. The image recording means thenprovide' an image of the identifying code portion of the respective key or, as described heretofore, the code means operate displays whose indication is. responsive to' the particular key means. 1 Since,in accordance with standard business practice, each key means .is signed outato a particular person, evidence will be available as to the person operating the lock. q M

One of the important objects of this invention therefore is the provision ofmmeans for producing documen- 31 Patented Nov. 12, 1963 Another object of this invention is theprovision ofproducing documentary evidence when access is gained to a depository receptacle which forms a portion of a depository machine.

Another object of this invention is the provision of key means and control means so arranged that the key means when operating a lock, cause the control means to actuate image recording means to provide documentary evidence of the key means. 1

A further object of this invention is the provision of key means anddisplay means, which key means when operating associated locking means cause the display means to display indicia which are correlated with the key means used.

A further and other object of this invention is the provision of key means carrying identifying code means, and image recording means adapted to provide a record correlated with these code means when the key means operate associated lock means.

7 A further and still another object of this invention is the provision of plurality of key means, each key means within this pluralitybeing provided with identifying code means to cause a display indicative of the particular key means used, and image recording means so placed as to provide a documentary record of the display when the respective key means operate associated locking means.

A still further and other object of this invention is the provision of an arrangement for providing recorded evidence of the person gaining access to image recording means or tothe depository receptacle, both of which form a part of a. depository machine.

Other and further objects of this invention will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a simplified perspective view of the front, top and side of the depository machine;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of a typical keymeans;

FIGURE 3 is an elevational view, partly in section,

ofthe machine;

FIGURE 4 is a view along section lines 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a view FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 6 is an alternative embodiment of the invention, illustrating display means operated by the key means;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational view, partly in section, illustrating a further alternative design;

FIGURE 8 is a plan view showing a still further alternative design of the display means;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical view along section lines 9-9 in FIGURE 8; and

FIGURE 10- is a sectional view for illustrating certain details shown in FIGURES 8 and 9. 1

Referring now to the figures and FIGURE 1 in particular, numeral 11 indicates thev enclosure of a depository machine exhibiting in part, a front panel and an elongated aperture 12 through which a deposit is inserted into the machine. Aperture 12 leads to a storage receptacle which is accessible to authorized personnel only by means of a hinged side panel 13 and locking means 14. An image recording means 15 disposed inside the machine views articles accepted for deposit and is actuatedin a suitable manner to provide arecorded image of each deposited article. Access to the image recording means along section lines 55 in for theipurposeof removing or exchanging the recording medium is achieved by means of a hinged side panel 16 which is equipped with a lock 17.

It shall be clearly understood that the design shown in FIGURE 1 is schematic in nature and is greatly simplified as the specific structure of depository machines of this type is illustrated in the patents reference-d hereinbefore. The following description therefore, refers primarily to the security arrangement which involves the furnishing of documentary evidence when the locking means are operated.

IFIGURE 2 shows a typical key meanswhich is adapted to cooperate selectively withlocking means 14 or 17 in order to obtain access to the image recording means or to the depository receptacle. This key means on its front portion is provided with a display or indicia means 19', here show as the indicium 3. Whenever key means 18 is inserted in either lock 14 or 17, this front portion protrudes from the locks and a documentary record is provided to furnish evidence of unlocking the apparatus and most important, to identify the particular key used.

The general arrangement of the parts to fulfill this task is shown in FIGURES 3, 4, and 5. Image recording means 15, which in its preferred embodiment comprises an electrically operated microfilm camera, views the topmost document 21 in depository receptacle 22. This document under normal conditions is the last-received one and may comprise a record tag, a check, receipt, etc.

When key means 18 is inserted into locking means 14 for the purpose of opening panel 13, the key means is viewed by image recording means 15 via inclined mirrors 23 and 24. The key means and locking. means operate mechanically in the conventional manner. When key means 18 is rotated from its vertical insertion position to its horizontal unlocking position, the arm of switch 25 is engaged 'by the key and the switch in turn causes operation of the image recording means. At'this particular momen-t, that is when image recording means 15 is taking a record, the key means is rotated to a point where indicia '19 is in view of the image recording means. In this man:

ner the image recording means provides a record of the topmost or last-received document together with a record of the key means unlocking the respective machine portion. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the lens system or arrangement of optical components is such that the image of the key means is to the side of the image of document 21. It will be apparent further that illuminating means (not shown) are disposed suitably for providing light to the key means. When key means 18 is inserted into locking means 17, the same key portion willbe visible to image recording means 15 via inclined mirrors 23 and 24. In order to associate the operation of the respective locks with a time and date indication, an electrically dirven calendar clock 27 is disposed in view of image recording means 15 for providing an image to the recording means 15 via inclined mirrors 23 and 28. If desired, lens systems may be ns edto enlarge the images.

When a plurality of keys is available for opening lock ing means 14 and 17, the indicia 19 on key means 18 are varied so that each of the key means within this plurality has a distinguishing indicium. Moreover the key means' necessary for cooperating with locking means 17 and 13 may differ with respect to one another depending upon whether different persons should have access to the receptacle and image recording portions of the depository machine.

Switch 3 1, operated by key means 18 and associated v with locking means 17 is shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, but for the sake of clarity has been omitted in FIGURE 41 confines. of the lock there is mounted a switch 42 which is adapted to be engaged by a tooth of thekey when the key is rotated. The switch in turn causes actuation of the microfilm camera. Near the front end of the lock there is located a plurality of switches 43 and 44, each switch being adapted for selective operation'by a. respective tooth. As shown in FIGURE 6, the key means is provided with a single tooth to actuate switch 43, the latter being connected via suitable electrical conductors to a display means A, numeral 45, preferably a display lamp. Using the particular key shown, lamp 45 which displays letter A will be energized. Another key means will be constructed to have a tooth for engaging switch 44, thus causing energizing of a lamp. 46 whichdisplays the letter B. A third key can be provided which will the key means used and the subsequent recording of an image of the printed data. As shown inthis figure, image recording means 15 views the topmost document 21 in receptacle 22. The topmost document may. comprise, for

instance, a deposit tag or recordtag as described in my copending application for US. Letters Patent, Serial No. 44,778, entitled Depository Machine Combined With Image Recording Means, filed July 22, 1960. To the side of the depository receptacle 22 there is mounted a frame 51 which supports a rotary solenoid 52, the latter adapted to actuate an arm 53. Attached to the arm is a printing head assembly 54.

Normally, the arm and printing head are in the vertical 7 position as shown by the dashed lines. The printing head assembly comprises a plurality of individual printing heads, each being energized -by respective solenoids in response to the actuation of associatedswitchesw These switches, for instance numerals 57 and 58, are mounted in proximity to lock 56 and are energized "by respective teeth in key means 18. As shown in this figure, switches 57 and 58 are engaged and thus, two printing heads will imprint suitable indicia on the top most article 21, this being analogous to the A B display in FIGURE 6. The

operation of this arrangement is as follows: Arm 53 is normally raised. Upon insertion of key 18 into-look 56 and subsequent actuation of either switch '57 or 5-8 or both, the respective printing head is energized and rotary solenoid 52 momentarily lowers the printing head upon the topmostarticle, leaving an imprint on tag 21. A brief moment thereafter, when the printing head resumes its raised position, switch 59 is actuated to cause triggering of camera 15, thereby providing a recorded image of the data imprinted on document 21. These data in turn correspond to the identifying shape and code of the key means. i k

A further alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGURES 8 through 10 wherein the key. means. when inserted into the lock causes a unique dis;

play. Key means 18, substantially as shown in the 131:6".

vious figures, is inserted into the lock and teeth cooper-ate with a mechanical display means 61. I This display means comprises chiefly a top plate 62, a rectangular aperture 63 therein, and three slides, 64, 6'5; and 66 which are adapted to be positioned laterally relative to aperuire 63. Each slide is provided with an unique indicium which is normally concealed underneath plate 62, but whichmay I be rendered visible at aperture 63 depending on the con- 1 in alternative arrangement is shown in FIGURE 6 wherein key means 18 cooperates with a tumbler lock 41, the latter being shown in blockforniI Within the figuration of respective teeth on the key means. As shown in FIGURE 10, whenthe .key means 18' is inserted in vertical position through the locking means into the display means, key. means 1 8 engages a bracket7 1 attachedwas a underside of slide 65. In this position, embossed indicum 7-2 on the slide is concealed and is not visible through aperture 63. As the key means is turned counter-clockwise and the key assumes its rotated position, indicium 72 becomes positioned underneath aperture 63- and thus is exposed to the image recording'means, see FIGURES 8 and 9. When the key means returns the lock to its locked position, indicium 2 is returned to its concealed position. Although in the foregoing example only slide 65 carrying indicium 2 is moved, it will be apparent that by providing the teeth of the key means at the appropriate locations, other slides may be moved individually or in combination to display their respective indicia at aperture 63. g

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that in each of the embodiments described heretofore, a display is presented to the image recording means, which display is peculiar to a particular key means. Thus, each arrange ment is adapted to provide a documentary record of the key meansused for gaining access to the depositoryreceptacle or to the image recording means of the machine. If in the normal course of conducting business, a key is assigned to a particular person and this person signed for the receipt of such a key, the respective person can be held accountable for having operated the locking means by virtue of the documentary evidence initiated by the key means.

While there has been described and illustrated apreferred embodiment of the present invention and several modifications thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and further modifications may be made therein without deviating from the principle and intent of the present invention, which shall be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is: i

1. A depository machine comprising:

means for storing articles deposited in said machine by a depositor; v

means for providing a recorded image of deposited articles;

cabinet means normally enclosing said storing means against surreptitious access thereto; 1

access and lock means disposed in said cabinet means, having a first, unlocked position providing access through said cabinet means to said storing means for the removal of the contents thereof, and a second, locked, normal position maintaining said cabinet means in said normal condition;

key means for changing said lock means from said secend to said first position, and having identification means for identifying said key means; and I means disposed for actuation by said key means, when said key means changes said lock means from said second to said first position, for causing said recorded image providing means to provide an image which records the identity of said identification means and thereby of said key means.

2. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein said cabinet means also normally encloses said recorded image providing means against surreptitious removal.

3. A depository machine according to claim .1 wherein when said. key means changes said lock means to said t first position,

said identification means is disposed in the view of said recorded image providing means and said recorded image providing means is actuated to record an image of said identification means.

4. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein said key actuated means includes means for sensing said identification means and for providing a display correlated therewith in the view of said recorded image providing means, and said recorded image providing means is actuated to record an image of said display.

5. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein the last deposited article in said storing means is disposed in the view of said recorded image providing means; and said recorded image providing means, when actuated by said key means, also records an image of the last deposited article; i the identification means image and the image of the lost deposited article being recorded in identifiable relationship with one another. 6. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein said cabinet means also normally encloses said recorded image providing means against surreptitious removal; and further including additional access and lock means disposed in saidcabinet means having a first, unlocked position providing access through said cabinet means to said recored image providing means, and a second, locked, normal position maintaining said cabinet means in said normal condition; additional key means for changing said additional lock means from said second to said first position, and having additional identification meansfor identifying said additional key means; and additional means disposed for actuation by said additional key means when said additional key means changes said additional'lock means from said second I to said first position, for causing said recorded image providing means to provide an image which records the identity of said additional identification means and thereby of said additional key means. 7. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein said identification means displays indicia disposed in the view of said recorded image providing means when said key means changes said lock means from said second to said first position, said indicia being uniquely correlated with said key means. 8. A depository machine according to claim 1 further including an indicia display means disposed in the view of said recorded image providing means; and said identification means viscoupled with said indicia, display means to actuate said indicia display means to display indicia which are uniquely correlated with said key means when said key means changes said lock means from said second to said first position. 9. A depository machine according to claim 1 further including:

an indicia display means, disposed in the view of saiderate said elements to display a combination of in- Y dicia to said recorded image providing means which combination is uniquely correlated with said key means when said key means changes said lock means from said second to said first position.

10. A depository machine according to claim 1 further including an indicia display means, disposed in the view of said recorded image providing means, having a plurality of illuminable indicia; and

said identification means is coupled with said indicia display means to actuate said display means to illumine and display thereby a combination of said indicia to said recorded image providing means which combination is uniquely correlated with said key means when said key means changes said lock means from said second to said first position.

11. A depository machine according to claim 1 further including I an indicia imprinting means, disposed for imprinting a plurality of indicia on the last deposited article in said storing means; and

Q .12. A depository machine according to claim 1 further including time indicating means; said recorded image providing means disposed to also provide a record of the indicated time when said lock means is changed from said second to said first position. 13. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein said key meansis one of a plurality of identical key means, each of said plurality having a dilferent identification means disposed thereon. 14. A depository machine according to claim 1 wherein said recorded image providing means is a photographic camera. 15. A depository machine according'to claim 6 wherein said key means and said additional key means are identical. 16. A depository machine according to claim 6 wherein said identification means and said additional identification means are identical. 17. A depository machine comprising: receptacle means for storing documents deposited in said machine by a depositor;

camera means for recording an image of deposited documents;

cabinet means normally enclosing said receptacle means and said camera means against surreptitious access thereto;

I an aperture in said cabinet means;

a closure for said aperture; I

a lock for said closure, said lock having a first, un-

identification means fixed to each said key'for uniquely identifying said key, said identification means being in the view of said camera means when said key is inserted into and unlocks said lock;

control means for actuationby said key when said identification means is in the view of saidrcamena means to actuate said camera means to record an image of said identification means.

18. A depository machine comprising:

7 receptacle means for storing documents deposited in said machine by a depositor;

camera means for recording an image of deposited documents;

cabinet means normally enclosing said receptacle means and saidcamera means against surreptitious access thereto;

an aperture in said cabinet means;

a closure for said aperture;

a lock for said closure, said lock having a first, un-

locked position providing access past said closure and through said aperture to said receptacle means for the removal of the contents of said receptacle means, and a second, locked position securing said closure to preclude access through said aperture;

a plurality of keys, each for insertion into and for unlocking said lock from its second position to its first position;

identification means fixed to each said key for uniquely identifying said key;

readout means for sensing said identification means and for providing a unique display correlated with the identity of said key in the view of said camera means when said key is inserted into and unlocks said lock; 7

control means for actuation by said key when said display is provided to actuate said camera means to record an image of said display. 5

References Qited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS I 

1. A DEPOSITORY MACHINE COMPRISING: MEANS FOR STORING ARTICLES DEPOSITED IN SAID MACHINE BY A DEPOSITOR; MEANS FOR PROVIDING A RECORDED IMAGE OF DEPOSITED ARTICLES; CABINET MEANS NORMALLY ENCLOSING SAID STORING MEANS AGAINST SURREPTITIOUS ACCESS THERETO; ACCESS AND LOCK MEANS DISPOSED IN SAID CABINET MEANS, HAVING A FIRST, UNLOCKED POSITION PROVIDING ACCESS THROUGH SAID CABINET MEANS TO SAID STORING MEANS FOR THE REMOVAL OF THE CONTENTS THEREOF, AND A SECOND, LOCKED, NORMAL POSITION MAINTAINING SAID CABINET MEANS IN SAID NORMAL CONDITION; KEY MEANS FOR CHANGING SAID LOCK MEANS FROM SAID SECOND TO SAID FIRST POSITION, AND HAVING IDENTIFICATION MEANS FOR IDENTIFYING SAID KEY MEANS; AND 